These are individual turkey meatloaves baked in a muffin pan and topped with mashed sweet potato — the same flavors as a classic meatloaf dinner, just portioned out so every serving is already done. The real reason to make them: they reheat better than a full loaf, and a single batch covers lunches or quick dinners for most of the week without any extra effort.
Shopping notes
- Almond meal vs. almond flour: Almond meal (ground from whole almonds with the skin on) is coarser and works better here as a binder. Almond flour is finer and can make the texture a little dense. Either works in a pinch, but meal is the better call.
- Liquid aminos: Found in most grocery stores near the soy sauce. Coconut aminos is a lower-sodium swap if you prefer it — same quantity, slightly milder flavor.
- Sweet potatoes: Pick ones that are roughly the same size so they roast evenly. Two medium potatoes is usually enough for a standard batch.
- Ground turkey: Use 93% lean. The extra-lean 99% version tends to dry out in a muffin pan because there’s less fat to keep things moist during baking.
The short version of why this works
Two things make this recipe reliable. First, the onion is minced so fine it almost dissolves into the meat mixture — this keeps the texture smooth and ensures the moisture from the onion distributes evenly, which is what stops ground turkey from going dry and crumbly. Second, baking in a muffin pan means each portion has a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, so the outside firms up and holds its shape while the inside stays just cooked through. That structure is also what makes these easy to stack in a container without falling apart, which matters when you’re packing them for the next few days.
Mistakes to avoid
- Skipping the internal temperature check: Ground turkey must reach 165°F (74°C) — never pull these early just because they look done on top. A cheap instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of one meatloaf is the only reliable test.
- Overfilling the muffin cups: If you pack the meat above the rim, it puffs and then collapses unevenly as it cools, which makes the surface uneven and harder to top neatly. Fill to just below the rim.
- Adding the sweet potato topping while the meatloaves are still hot: Let them cool for at least 5 minutes after coming out of the oven. Topping them straight from the oven causes the mash to slide off and makes piping messy. Skip the garnish — not worth the extra dish.
- Not greasing the muffin pan well enough: Turkey is leaner than beef and sticks more readily. Use a generous coat of oil or cooking spray in every cup, including the flat top edge, or use silicone liners.
- Storing with the sweet potato topping already piped on: If you’re making these for the week, keep the meatloaves and the mashed sweet potato in separate containers. The topping gets watery when stored on top of the meat for more than a day.
Keeping and reheating
Stored separately in airtight containers, the meatloaves keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and the sweet potato mash keeps for 3 days. To freeze, wrap individual meatloaves tightly and freeze for up to 3 months — the mash can be frozen in a separate container for the same period. Reheat meatloaves in a 325°F (160°C) oven for about 12–15 minutes, or microwave on medium power in 60-second intervals until the center hits 165°F (74°C) again. Reheat the sweet potato mash separately with a splash of water stirred in to loosen it before warming.
The Best Mini Meatloaf with Sweet Potato Topping
Ingredients
2 pounds ground turkey (minced turkey)
1 medium white onion
3 cloves garlic
3 medium egg
¼ cup almond meal - flour or your favorite flour substitute works great depending on dietary needs- 2 tablespoons liquid aminos - soy sauce, tamari, or Worcestershire sauce are great alternatives
1 tablespoon Italian herbs (oregano, rosemary, thyme, and sometimes basil and parsley)
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Bake sweet potatoes (45 minutes to 1 hour depending on size).
- Finely mince the onion. I pulse in my mini-chopper until it’s almost pureed. A blender would work well here too.
- Mix together turkey, onion, garlic, eggs, almond meal, liquid aminos, and seasoning.
- Spoon into a lined muffin pan, about ¾ full. Bake for 30 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. I put these in when potatoes have been in for about 30 minutes.
- Take the meat and potatoes from the oven. Remove potatoes from skins. Mash with coconut oil and put into a pastry bag with a piping tip to make it pretty (a Ziploc bag with the end snipped off works well also!).
- Remove the meatloaf cupcakes from the pan and top with the potatoes.
Notes
- For the topping: 5–6 small to medium sweet potatoes
- We included the baking of the sweet potatoes as part of the prep time. We generally work on mixing the meatloaf batter while the sweet potatoes are baking. Then we place the meatloaves in the oven when the potatoes have cooked for 30-45 minutes.
Nutrition
FAQ
Can I use ground beef instead of ground turkey?
Yes — 85% lean ground beef works well here and needs to reach 160°F (71°C) internally. The flavor will be richer and the texture slightly firmer, and the bake time may be a minute or two shorter, so start checking early.
Can I make these ahead and freeze them before baking?
It’s better to bake them first, then freeze. Raw ground turkey that’s been mixed with binders and frozen can release excess water on thawing, which affects the texture and makes the meatloaves harder to hold together.
My meatloaves are falling apart when I take them out of the pan — what went wrong?
They likely need more time in the pan before you try to remove them. Let them rest 5–8 minutes after baking so the proteins firm up and the structure sets. Running a thin knife around the edge before lifting also helps.
Can I roast the sweet potatoes the day before?
Yes, and it’s actually the most efficient approach. Roast them, scoop out the flesh, mash with coconut oil, and refrigerate overnight. Bring the mash to room temperature before topping the meatloaves so it’s easy to spread or pipe.
If you liked this one
- Kumara Beef Hash Cakes
- Hearty Beef Cauliflower Bake
- Spicy Beef Stuffed Peppers
- Ultimate Cheesy Beef Bake
